Clinching tool for wire clips



May 8, 1928.

R. L. MADSEN CLINCHING TOOL FOR WIRE CLIPS Filed Oct. 5. 1926 noewbor Patented May 8, 1928.

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PATENT i orr CLINCHINGTOOL FOR wfn sicnrrsly j i Application mad 0ctober 5,11926. "sermrnausae'zsi "This invention relates to toolsrand more.

particularly to a pair of tong'sby the use of which wire clips employed to secure fence wires to a metal post may befirmly clinched to the post. 1 lVheiil fence wire securing clip isapplied to a metal post havinga T-shape in cross section and a hammer or pair of pliers of a conventional construction are employed, it is difficult to bend the wire clip into tight gripping engagement with the rearwardly extending web of the fence.

post. The clip is, therefore, looseupon the post and not only fails to firmly bind the fence wire to the post but is also liable to slip downwardly thereon or be easily moved when animals such as horses or cattle apply pressure to the fence Wires longitudinally of the post.- 1

Therefore one object of the invention is to provide tongs of an improved construction whereby a firm grip may be obtained upon a wire clip when initially bending it about the rearwardly extended web of a fence post.

Another object of the invention is to so form thejaws of the tongs that after the wire has been bent about the" web of the post, portions of the wire at opposite sides of the web may be bent into close gripping engagement with it.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view showing the improved wire clinching'tongs in the side elevation.

Figure 2 is an enlarged View showing a portion of the tongs partially in side elevation and partially in longitudinal section.

Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views illustrating the manner of clinc-hing a fence wire securing clip to a post by means of the improved tongs.

The wire clip clinching tool constituting the sub 'ect matter of this invention is in. the form 0 a pair of tongs and includes jaws 1 and 2 pivotally connected by a bolt or other suitable pivot fastener 3 and having actuating handles 4 and 5. Each jaw is formed integral with its handle and is preferably made of steel, although other strong metals may be employed if so desired. The jaws are of greater width than the handles and are widened in opposite directionsso that the offset side portlons of each jaw extend in front of the forward end of the handle of the other jaw. By referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the jaw 2 is of greater length than the jaw 1, and has its free forward end portion: formedintermediate its a width with a longitudinally extending groove 6: with whichi'an opening 7 communr cates. The jaw 1 is also formed,;intermediate itsuwidth,nwith 'a longitudinally extending notch 'or groove1;8,;thef forward .end'of l which communicates: with a notch 9 cut across the forward edge face of the jaw in bisecting' relation thereto. By having the jaws formed as shownin Figure 2, a very firm grip may be obtained upon the wire 7 clip as will be hereinafter brought out.

When erecting a fence, the fence posts have their lower end portions embedded in the ground a suitable distance and are spaced from each other an appropriate distance along theline upon which the fence is to extend. The posts are preferably T-shaped in cross section and each includes a fiat bar or body portion 10 from which extends a rearwardly disposed web 11. After the posts have been set inplace the fence wire 12 is stretched tight and engages the forward faces of the posts in crossed relation thereto. The clips are now applied to the posts and extend diagonally across" the fence wires. Each of the clips is formed from. a strand of strong wire bent intermediate its length to provide arms 13 and 14, the free end of the arm 13 being bent back upon itself to provide a bill15 to en-.

gage about one side edge portion of the post and the arm 14 being of sufiicient length.

to extend from the other side edge of the body of the post and beyond the rearedge of the web 11. After the clips have been applied to the posts, as shown in Figure 3, the free end portion of thearm14 is threaded throughthe opening or passage 7 and also fits into the groove and notch 8 and 9 of the jaw 1. The tongs are now grasped by the handles 4' and 5 and when swung from the osition shown in Figure 3 to that shown in igure 4, the free end portion of the arm 14 will be bent about the web 11. The tongs are now moved out of engage ment with they clip and disposed as shown in Figure 5, with their jaws straddling the web and in engagement with the clip. When so disposed, portions of the arm 14 at oploo posite sides of the web are seated in the grooves 6 and 8 of the two jaws and trans verse movement of the jaws and wire relative to each other will be prevented. I Pressure is now applied to the handles to swin the jaws toward each other andthereby ben the wire clip into close contacting engagement with opposite side faces of the'web, as shown in Figure 6. lVhen so bent, the clip will be firmly held in engagement with the fence post and thereby prevented from slipping or being easily moved longitudinally of the post. It will thus be seen that by the use of the improved tongs, wirecip s may be very easily applied to a fence post of a T-bar construction and firmly clinched to the same.

Having thus described the invention,

of their free end portions formed with longitudinally extending wire receiving grooves, one jaw being longer than the other and adjacent its free endformed with a wire receiving opening communicating with its groove and disposed substantially in ahnement with the free end of the shorter jaw.

2. A clinching tool for wire clips comprising pivoted jaws, one being of greater length than the other and adjacent its free end formed with a wire receiving opening substantially alined with the free end of the shorter jaw.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RALPH L. MADSEN. [11. s.] 

